By The News Observer Desk,
Karwar,: A major road accident near Shivapura village in Haliyal taluk of Uttara Kannada district left 18 people injured, including five who sustained critical injuries, after a pickup van crashed into a roadside tree on Saturday.
The victims, all agricultural labourers from Mundwad village, were travelling to Shivapura for farm work when the Tata Ace pickup vehicle reportedly went out of the driver's control and slammed into a tree. The force of the impact injured all passengers on board, including several women.
Local residents and emergency responders rushed the injured to Haliyal Taluk Hospital, where they were given immediate medical treatment. Five people with serious injuries were later shifted to Dharwad District Hospital for specialised care, while the remaining victims continue to receive treatment at Haliyal Hospital.
Following the accident, officers from Haliyal Police Station visited the scene and began an investigation. A case has been registered, and police are examining the circumstances that led to the crash. Preliminary findings suggest that over speeding may have been a contributing factor, although the exact cause is yet to be confirmed.
Haliyal MLA R.V. Deshpande visited Haliyal Taluk Hospital after learning about the incident. He enquired about the condition of the injured, interacted with doctors, and directed officials to ensure that all necessary medical facilities and treatment are provided to the victims without delay.
Reporting by: Saikiran Babrekar
